Page 12 - CinemaRecord #11R.pdf

Immediately inside this cinema a small counter space can be used as an additional ticket selling and candy bar
area at peak trading times.

The theatre was leased out for two years (from 1990 to 1992} and traded as the Capricorn Cinema, the operator
was Ron Campbell. The cinema was temporarily closed from October to December 1994, when once again
Kevin Baglow returned to operate the cinema. Since that time he has continued to make changes and
improvements.

A third cinema was opened on 25 January 1995. Cinema 3 has a deep and narrow auditorium and, like Cinema
2, has been built under the rake of the original cinema. Both Cinemas 2 and 3 are entered by a small corridor
directly off the street at the front of the building.

Each cinema has its own projection booth and, as the proprietor tends to lease his machinery, a variety of
projectors have been used. Currently Cinema 3 utilizes a Kalee projector with a Dolby sound system.

Cinema 2 has a Kalee projector fitted with a German lamp house and a mono sound system. Cinema 1 is also
fitted with a Kalee projector with a Raydek and DTS sound system. Each cinema uses portable homemade film
muts (large film spools).

Cinema 1's projection room has been extended to the north side auditorium wall. This provides the operator
with a large workshop and storage area. Cinema 1 originally was equipped with stage curtains which are not
used today. In 1994, in order to allow fora larger screen (now 44' x 19'), the suspended ceiling was raised from
14' (4.2m) to 20' (6.0m). The cinema screens on a 7 day multi feature and multi session policy.

Further improvements are being planned to the ticket selling and candy bar areas on the front street level. An
additional two screens are also being planned.

Since its initial construction this theatre has claimed several firsts in North Queensland such as the first liquor
licence (c1986), the first stereo sound installation (Mad Max- Beyond Thunderdome) and the first DTS digital
sound system (Easter 1996). The cinema is equipped for 3D screening and the exhibitor uses this facility
whenever possible.

The People Behind The Yeppoon Film Theatre

The Baglow family became the owners and exhibitors of the former Roxy Theatre in Yeppoon. This cinema
was demolished after being replaced by the Kavlon in 1977. The previous owner was Len Harris. This theatre
was situated in the same street block as the Film Theatre, but was a few doors closer to the sea front. An
apartment block and shops now occupy this site. The opposition Regent Theatre was situated nearby in the
same street.
The Roxy was of a cheap timber and fibrocement construction and its design also took advantage of the
steeply sloped block. It's interior decoration featured wood panelling, art deco lights, and a plaster proscenium
with coloured footlights. The screen was at the street frontage end of the building.

Limited stage facilities, including dressing rooms, were included in the theatre. This stage space was converted
into a flat for the owners. The canvas seats were installed on the single, raked, bitumen covered floor. Given
the nature of the building the Normanby Council encouraged the Baglow family to build a new cinema; which
they did.

Kevin Baglow helped work the Roxy with his family but he also learned the rudiments of projection whilst a
student at Yeppoon's St. Brendan's College. His love of films, and the exhibition business, led him to a career
in the industry.

He enthusiastically runs the business with the minimum of staff and together with an imaginative screening
policy of mainstream and art films, he has conducted a successful business despite the large chain competition
in Rockhampton.